Word has gotten out that Gladys Beatty, Nancy Rife and Kay Shoaf all received “chip in pins” during the recent Palm Tees Golf League awards luncheon, when Nancy and Kay also earned their “birdie pins.” Kay was honored with a very special award; an abacus for having carded the highest number of strokes for a single hole.

These ladies join members from other Corridor communities playing the 9-hole course at Oak Run ee where, Nancy tells me, they count all of their putts.

Meet Pam Guenther

I asked Pam Guenther for some background information to make mention of her first anniversary as activities coordinator at Marion Landing. She obligingly sent this reply, along with her comment; “I really am not too good at writing about ‘me,’ so I did it like a third person interview. You may use it verbatim or change any way you like.”

So, taking a tip from the “Sly Guy’s” column, here are Pam’s own words to help fill my space.

Activity Coordinator

celebrates First Anniversary

Pam Guenther recently celebrated her one year anniversary with Marion Landing as their activity coordinator. Since coming to Marion Landing in May of 2007, she has brought with her the vast experience and knowledge of community events, people and activities.

“Picking up where Paula Roach had left off was a hard act to follow,” Pam admits. “Paula was here for such a long time and well loved by the community; I just hope I can do as good a job as she did.”

Pam says she loves this job more than any other she’s had because she is a “people person” and loves meeting and talking to all kinds of people. She really has her work cut out for her scheduling all the activities and coordinating all the clubs, committees and events.

Pam has also been instrumental in bringing in many new speakers and other community professionals to share information with the Marion Landing residents. In addition to overseeing the regular activities and classes, she has also introduced to the residents some new instructors like Margaret Nelson, a certified instructor in bunka shi-shu (Japanese embroidery) and Cheryl Turnbow, instructor in hand crafted jewelry.

Residents also enjoyed the art of papier tle taught by one of their own neighbors here at Marion Landing.

Pam has also been diligent in having regular speakers come to speak at least monthly at the community meetings. She has also booked many free lunch seminars on a variety of topics.

Pam is especially good at contacting new and interesting people in the community to come in and share with us their experiences and education. She is also a freelance writer and columnist for the Voice of South Marion and has spotlighted many of our own talented residents. “I love this job especially because it allows me to write for the Marion Landing Communicator and writing is what I do best,” Pam explains.

“Sometimes I can’t believe I get paid to do what I do and work with such wonderful people. This is truly a dream job for me.” Pam says she loves this community and feels right at home here.

She says that she loves the diversity of the position and helping to keep the community active. Not only does she love to help coordinate the events it is not unusual to see her attend some herself from time to time.

She believes in getting involved in every aspect of the job as it helps her to stay in contact with the people and meet new residents at the same time.

Pam is a longtime resident of Ocala, a native of N. H. who moved here 20 years ago with her husband and is the proud mother of three children. She is a former freelance writer for the local daily and former neighborhood network director for a community owned by Royal Management.

We congratulate her on her first anniversary and wish her many, many more.

Thanks very much, Pam. And now back to work ee

Aquasize at Your

Own Oomph Level

We have two “aquacize” classes for Marion Landing residents to choose from. Pat Wurst presides over the more strenuous cardiovascular water exercises, with Dotty Bouchet’s program emphasizing muscle flexibility workouts.

Dotty is aided and abetted by assistants Shirley Rathbone and Lina Vallajo, while most of Pat’s participants have memorized her 40-some exercises and one or more simply take over if she happens to miss a session.

Pat’s group meets daily from 8:45 to 9:30 a.m. while Dotty schedules her folks on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10 to 11 a.m. Some of Pat’s early class members also enjoy cooling down afterward with Dotty’s later group.

Aside from just plain old enjoyment of splashing around together, results included pleasing a participant’s therapist, as well as reports like, “I’m walking without my cane” and “I can touch my toes now.”

And reports suggest those participant’s end-of-the-season lunches can get really wild.

Hats off to volunteers Pat, Dotty and their helpers.

Did you know ee

Did you know why a specific distance for the Indy 500 race was chosen? Race organizers thought the event should last around seven hours ee about the length of time they felt would appeal to a large audience ee between morning and early afternoon. They settled on 500 miles.

In 1926, Ray Herroun needed 6 hours, 42 minutes and 8 seconds to win the first Indy 500. How long do you suppose it took Scott Dixon to win the Indy 500 this year?

Rog Patterson is a Marion Landing resident and Friendship Kiwanis member. Contact him with news for the column, he’s in the Landing phone directory.